Improved construction of gun-boats



NiTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

STEPHEN DEOATUR CARPENTER, Ol MADISON, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF GUN-BOATS.

vTo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN DEcArUR CARPENTER, of Madison, in the countyof Dane and State of/Visconsin, have in venteda new and useful inodeofGonstrueting the Outer Surface or Model ofGun-Boats or War Vessels;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings, makinga part ofthis specification, in which- Figure l is a longitudinalelevation. a a is the water-line; B, the lower part of the hull; O Cshow the angles of the upper part, as appear from a side view; D, a ramthat may be attached 5 e e e e e the port-holes F, a ball or projectile5 and the red lines show the parabolic-track of said projectile at longrange and the parabolic angle at which it would strike and bound fromthedeck.

Eig. 2 represents an end view. a a, is the water-line, B B, the lowerpart ofthe hull O C, the angular projecting sides, as seen from thisview, the red lines showing the course of project-iles at differentranges and in different relative positions, and f f j' balls orprojectiles at -the supposed angles at which such projectiles wouldbound from the angular surface of the boat.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct the lower part of the hull or boat in any of the knownapproved methods up to a point some three feet (more or less, as may befound necessary) below the water-line, from which point I project thesides of the vessel outward at an angle, say, of forty-live (legrecs,(more or less, as may be deemed most practicable,) up to the givenheight required for the upper deck, substantially as exhibited in thedra-wings. The upper deck I construct level with the waterline, andfreefrom obstructions. When thus constructed in its outlines, with theusual backings of timbers, planks, &c., I cover the whole outlinesurface, including the deck and angular sides, down to a proper pointbelow the water-line to insure safety from projectile objects withmailed armor, adopting any of the approved modes now in use.

The object of the an gnlar outlines herein described and the level deckis to render the boat as nearly invulnerable as possible by presentingno angle to the enemy less than a number oi' degrees sufficient to wardoft the most destructive projectiles.

I do not claim the mode and manner of constructing the lower part of'the hull7 nor the ram attached, nor the kind ot' armor, or the mode andmanner of putting it on, nor do I claim any ot' the internal detailarrangements ofthe boat; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

rI'he manner of constructing the portion of gun-boats or war-vesselsexposed to shot, shell, or other projectiles with outward projectingangles for the sides and ends, in combination with the level deck,substantially as herein described, and for the purposes set forth in thespecifications.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

' STEPHEN DECATUR CARPENTER. Witnesses L. J. FAEWELL, JOHN. S.HoLiNGsHEAD.

